Carmelo Anthony has become public enemy No. 1 in Celtics Nation, which would explain the Knicks All-Star forward being accompanied by his own personal bodyguard as he ventured into hostile territory for Thursday’s game against Kevin Garnett and the Celtics.

It is not uncommon for superstar players, Kobe Bryant for example, to have their own security detail. The Knicks employ two security guards that are with the team at all times while Anthony’s bodyguard occasionally travels to road games.

Paranoid much?

I get that Anthony has become one of the most hated men in Boston overnight, but is New York's security detail not enough? After all, if everything is indeed settled like Melo says, why would he need any extra protection? Is he really that afraid of Garnett?

Per Isola, Melo's increased security actually has nothing to do with the Celtics' big man:

The reason for the extra security has nothing to do with Anthony possibly crossing paths in the hallways but rather the hostile crowd that awaits him at the Garden.

Celtics fans are some of the most passionate and sometimes crude fans in the league. Throw in the fact that Anthony has the words “New York” stitched on his uniform as well as the controversy of Jan. 7 and you have the ingredients for overzealous crowd.

I'm not going to sit here and write that isn't true, but it is implied.

I hail from New York, and having been to Boston, its fans are no worse than ours. And yet, I never see Garnett—or even LeBron James—bring personal bodyguards just because.

No, this definitely has to do with Garnett, and Anthony's fear about the backlash that might ensue; this is no coincidence.

Must we condemn Melo for his decision? If he actually fears for his safety, absolutely not. The man's a human being after all.

But at least be real about it. Don't attempt to throw a transparent cloak over your reasoning. People are smarter than that.

I do feel compelled to admit I am intrigued to see if the Celtics faithful are now extra rowdy because they know Melo has brought an entourage.

But I digress.

What's important here is that an extra body no has Melo's back should he go running toward Boston's locker room again.

One that could also help have his back should Garnett take a page out of his book and attempt to "converse" with him as he boards the Knicks' team bus.